National Civil War Centre

What were the causes of the Civil War? Using fun costumes and props, children can discover the answer as they take their place in the Pyramid of Power from commoners to the King himself.

In the National Civil War Centre Arms and Armour session, your class will become army recruits, re-enacting a musket drill and having a go at a fun foam pike battle. They’ll discover what life was like for their 17^th century ancestors with fascinating films in our cinema and object handling sessions.

Plus, they’ll uncover the gory truth of the barber surgeon’s battlefield methods with a DIY amputation.

There’s even a chance to get out into the town on a tour led by John Twentyman or his wife Elizabeth, as they show you the sites and divulge why Newark was so strategically important both locally and nationally.

As an optional extra, you could also extend your tour to include the Queen’s Sconce, one of England’s best-preserved Civil War earthworks.

Secondary school visits can also relive the trial of King Charles I, with students taking on the roles of judges, guards and the accused.

They will use archive sources to investigate the issues surrounding the trial and make their own verdict on whether the King should indeed have lost his head.

There is also the opportunity to explore the stories of Newark’s three sieges on a tour of Newark Castle where students will uncover the rivalry between Newark and Nottingham and learn why local soldiers attempted to raid the city dressed as women!

KS3 sessions also offer the chance for students to look at the conflict from a very human and personal viewpoint, exploring the story of The Three Brothers: siblings who were torn apart and fought for different sides during the War.

Online sessions are also available, both pre-recorded and interactive, for you to enjoy at your own pace or live and remote.

We also offer fascinating discovery loan boxes, covering a variety of topics linked to the KS1, 2 and 3 History curriculum as well as brand new Object Theatre Boxes, containing a selection of replica objects.

A ‘Museum in a Box’ which uses sound files to help describe each object and a link to supporting resources and accompanying activity suggestions online.

The team can also offer A-level sessions based on the exam syllabus which include self-guided exploration of the galleries, object encounters with real 17^th century artefacts and a choice of workshop from town tours visiting Civil War sites to a dramatic debate and reconstruction of King Charles I’s trial.

Our Learning Sessions are not just about the Civil War either as we also look after the Newark Museum collection. This academic year we have introduced an Ice Age Journeys half-day workshop in local schools as well as character tours of Victorian Newark.

Our sessions are responsive to the needs of teachers and accessible. We may be able to accommodate KS3 groups with more than 120 on request and are happy to offer free preview visits for teachers booking a trip.

We are proud to hold an LOtC quality badge and Sandford Award.

Pre-booking for all visits is essential.